Deluded Starmill

jazzman · Post by **jazzman** » Wed 07 Mar , 2007 9:07 am

Hi,
Been playing with the Starmill, but it has developed an odd fault. On Datum setup, all goes well with the X Y Z axis, but when it gets to reset the Toolchanger, the Z axis moves instead. After a while (and after tearing what's left of my hair out), I realized the Z axis was mimicking the tool change sequence. If I move the toolchange carriage in the correct sequence, the machine will complete the datum setup, then runs normally.
Don't think I can cope with a Deluded Machine !!! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Post by **Denford Admin** » Wed 07 Mar , 2007 10:53 am

Without having the drawings to hand - I believe this version of machine used a changeover relay to swap the stepper drive output from the Z axis, to the Toolchanger motor.
Find this relay and you will probably find the cause of this delusion

Mr Magoo · Post by **Mr Magoo** » Sun 11 Mar , 2007 22:42 pm

The switching between the Z axis and the tool changer axis was done electronically by the 'Custom Card'.

The Custom Card is mounted in the computer rack inside the machine and is either the 2nd or 3rd slot from the left (can't remember exactly - it has a ribbon cable on the front and two small green LEDs, one at the top, one at the bottom).

Make sure it's seated in the backplane OK and the ribbon cable on the front is connected OK. Also check for any damaged or burned components (switching the step & direction signals between the Z and TC axis was done by a couple of transistors on this card)

jazzman · Post by **jazzman** » Thu 15 Mar , 2007 9:51 am

Hi again Mr Mcgoo,

When you mention the custom card, I think you are talking about a different control box. This starmill is fitted with the SMUC control, not the rack unit, although the principle of operation may be the same. The axis drives, including the tc axis, are on a sub board, and would be peculiar to the tc model, could the axis switching be there? Just guessing !

Thanks again Jazzman

Post by **Denford Admin** » Thu 15 Mar , 2007 10:00 am

As there are so many variations of control hardware - its very difficult for me to find any relevant documentation (its hard enough to find any at all !)
Can you attach some pictures of the machine and electronics ?
How is it controlled ? - BBC / DOS ?

Denford Software & Machines

Denford Software & Machines